Saturday 7th February 2026.
A male Stonechat with a male Yellowhammer in the countryside near Colmore village. Today was a very good Yellowhammer day, with many seen today and my first of the year too.
Though the weather was poor today, I have to say that it was one of the best days birding this year. Last Saturday, while Andy Fisher and myself were ‘dipping’ on both Cirl Bunting and Ferruginous Duck, Geoff Farwell was up in the northern half of Hampshire, visiting the small rural village and surrounding area of Colemore, near East Tisted. His impressive list of bird sightings most certainly whetted my appetite and so I suggested taking a trip to this location, which was the first time I have been up to this particular area. I had to get home early today and so to round off the day, we visited the countryside of Kilmeston, near Alresford; for possible Corn Bunting.
Cowplain Marsh:
What a great Moth to start the year off with; a Spring Usher. This was only my 'second ever' of this species.
My day kicked off with a bang when a Firecrest was heard calling near Andy’s house. Though I never got a sighting, I was pleased to add this species to my year list, though I am sure I shall see plenty of these birds within the coming year. Andy had the Moth Box overnight for the first time this year and amazingly, there was a moth. In fact, it was my second ever Spring Usher and a ‘first’ for Geoff of this species. Though there were no other moths, I was more than happy to kick off the year with this excellent species.
Colemore, nr East Tisted:
A skulking Grey Partridge trying to blend into the tall vegetation nearby. A further 10 more birds joined this individual.
Sadly, the weather was awful. Persistent drizzly light rain throughout the day (though there were a few breaks where the rain stopped briefly) was the order of the day, though it was relatively mild with temperatures around 11 degrees, but I was so glad I brought my Wellington Boots along with me. As mentioned, I have never been to the small hamlet of Colemore before, but on the way to the location (and negotiating the terrible pot-holes on the A32!), Geoff was telling me that within the surrounding fields at Colemore, a Partridge recovery programme was going on and also looking after the supporting nature in the area.
Above, the Church of St. Peter ad Vincula and below, some interesting writing on the walls of the church that might have Dr Alice Roberts intrigued? The church is dated around the 16 hundreds and has been rebuilt several times over the years.
We parked up by the 13th century Church of St. Peter ad Vincula (Geoff and Andy took a look inside while I was having my lunch) and then took the footpath to the east side of the Church and over into the fields. On arrival, a flock of Greenfinch flew in and landed in a nearby tree and I was sure that I heard a Brambling flying over. Both Andy and I saw a smaller, slimmer bird flying away to the west; but the guys were not 100% sure and so the ID of this bird went begging.
Above and below, my first Snowdrops of the year. These were around the front of the churchyard here at Colmore.
I have to say, this area must be ‘Red Kite City’ as there was at least a dozen birds in the area during the time we were there and they certainly are such a beautiful bird to watch, twisting their tail like a rudder to change direction and slowly flapping on those long wings. Wonderful birds. It was a cracking site for raptors with sightings of several Common Buzzards in the area, a male Kestrel gliding over the countryside in front of us, a female Sparrowhawk also gliding over a valley nearby and probably the best of the lot, a stunning female Merlin hunting over the trees and fields close to the Church. This was my second sighting of this species this year after the male bird we saw at Blackgutter Bottom, in the New Forest and Andy found the bird too!
Above, a flock of Greenfinches flew in by the Churchyard and below, Sheep were grazing in the fields adjacent to the footpath.
Above, a sign giving full information on the Grey Partridge introduction scheme. Below, another photo of one of the many Grey Partridge's seen today.
The area is noted for the re-introduction of Grey Partridges and it didn't take long to see our first birds of the year slowly creeping low down into the vegetation on the edge of the field we walked through. A total of 11 birds eventually walked into the tall vegetation and out of view with a further 8 or more flying low over the fields and out of sight. There were a lot of feeders around for the game birds, of which both Pheasant and Red-legged Partridges were also in the area.
Above, Geoff and Andy counting the Grey Partridges skulking at the edge of this field. Below, one of many Skylarks over the fields.
Above, a Common Buzzard soaring over the fields and below, two male Yellowhammers in a bramble by the footpath.
We were hoping for Bramblings as Geoff took us to an area where he saw them last week. A string of trees with a steep valley below held no Bramblings, but we did get to see our first Woodlarks of the year. Possibly two or three birds were in the area and despite the drizzly weather, this did not put the birds off from singing high over the countryside. Yellowhammers were abundant too, including one that immediately flew over the car as soon as I arrived in Colmore and then a large number perched in a bramble grabbed our attention and among these birds, a pair of Stonechats joined the Buntings. Overhead, flocks of Linnets and Chaffinches were seen and a few Meadow Pipits were noted.
Above, a bush full of birds. A large number of Yellowhammers were in the bush and were soon joined by a pair of Stonechats. Below, male Catkins were abundant along the Hazel hedgerow.
One of the country roads we walked along in the drizzle and below, a Grey Heron flew high over the road heading south.
Along the narrow country road, we had a good sized flock of House Sparrows flitting about in the hedgerow that numbered around 20+ birds. It was good to see a nice sized flock around as this species is now classed as a ‘Red listed’. Overlooking a steep valley for around 15 minutes, we just listened to the sound of both Skylark and Woodlark high over the countryside and in the nearby trees, a Nuthatch was singing. I heard my first ‘drumming’ Great Spotted Woodpecker of the year, but it was a distant bird of which we never saw. I really could have spent several hours here and what must it be like here in the sunshine. It looked perfect for raptors and I bet there were Barn Owls around this superb area of countryside?
Above, though it was murky at times, this valley looked stunning and the potential of some really nice birds. A Woodlark was singing high over the valley and plenty of raptors were seen here. Below, two Hares were seen distantly in one of the fields.
Above, a male Chaffinch perched in the Hazel hedgerow and below, while I enjoyed my lunch, I noticed this Red Kite preening high up in a nearby tree within the village.
On the way back to Colmore, we had sightings of Goldcrest, Chaffinches and a pair of Hares in the fields, which were my first of the year. Another Hare was seen running into the woods down in the valley. A probable Bank Vole was seen all too briefly running into a hole at the side of the road and overhead, a flock of 11+ Fieldfares flew high southbound over the countryside to nearly round off a superb trip here. When we reached the car, a pair of Bullfinches flew over and a Red Kite was seen perched in nearby trees. It was time for lunch, though the rain got a bit heavier and so the guys went into the Church for a good look while I sat in the car eating my lunch.
Kilmeston, nr Alresford:
One of several Red Kites over the countryside here.
Our second and final stop was to be in the countryside in Kilmeston where Geoff had seen a couple of Corn Buntings earlier in the year. Andy and I both wanted this species for our year list; but it wasn't to be. We parked up on the side of Wheely Down Lane and checked out the fields here for the Buntings. We could see a good number of Skylarks over the fields and despite the wind and drizzle, a Woodlark was heard to sing here as well! A large flock of Linnets could be seen in the distance and also what looked like good numbers of Buntings but too far in the distance to be absolutely sure.
Above, a Red Kite sailing overhead behind this tree near the roadside.
We therefore took a walk down Love Lane to hopefully find and check out the Buntings. A Firecrest was calling deep within the neighbouring Conifers and a few Yellowhammers were seen close by. Geoff pointed out a small flock of 11 Golden Plovers flying low over the field in the neighbouring fields and also a big scattering of Wood Pigeons too. I was amazed to see how many Kites and Buzzards were soaring over the countryside here and it really amazes me on how successful these birds are. The Kites, especially, put on a superb display, but it was just a shame the weather was so poor today.
One of many Yellowhammers seen today including this smart male bird.
When we got to the bottom of Love Lane, large numbers of Redwing were flying from the fields into the neighbouring woodland. Easily around 40+ birds were counted and then it was the turn of the Yellowhammers. Again, a large number had gathered here and fortunately for us, many were perching on the overhead wire before flying into a nearby hedgerow. I think Geoff counted at least 30+ Yellowhammers although some looked a bit rounder and larger, but that could be the light distorting the view of the birds. Though no Corn Buntings were seen or heard, it was still a cracking place to be. There ended another cracking day’s birding with Geoff and Andy with four more species added to my year list and I am looking very much forward to next weekend.
